Don’t trust the U.S. Postal Service with your taxes

Don’t trust the U.S. Postal Service with your taxes

As tax season creeps up on us there are lots of things to consider. But one thing you and your tax preparer should talk about is how your returns will be transmitted—both to you and to the IRS.

A recent story reminded me of just how unreliable the mail system can be and how easy it would be for sensitive material with your social security number and other critical information to be lost, stolen, or placed in the wrong mail box. In a recent “Money Talk” column, Liz Weston responded to a reader whose CPA mailed a completed tax return to the taxpayer’s home.
It never arrived! The return was not sent certified mail so there is no tracking system to find it.

This is just a reminder to everyone about the importance of safe transmittal of tax documents. We live in a time where we can’t be cautious enough—especially with our personal data. Once a thief has your social security number, bank account and credit card numbers, birthdate, and other information, they can easily file for a fraudulent tax refund or ruin your credit.

Esquire Group uses the most secure methods to prepare and file your returns. We have a client portal that allows us to safely send and receive documents or information. We encourage e-filing of returns to minimize potential for document loss/theft, and when that isn’t possible we arrange for safe delivery of your documents directly from our hands to yours.

Don’t trust the U.S. Postal Service with your taxes

As tax season creeps up on us there are lots of things to consider. But one thing you and your tax preparer should talk about is how your returns will be transmitted—both to you and to the IRS.

A recent story reminded me of just how unreliable the mail system can be and how easy it would be for sensitive material with your social security number and other critical information to be lost, stolen, or placed in the wrong mail box. In a recent “Money Talk” column, Liz Weston responded to a reader whose CPA mailed a completed tax return to the taxpayer’s home.
It never arrived! The return was not sent certified mail so there is no tracking system to find it.

This is just a reminder to everyone about the importance of safe transmittal of tax documents. We live in a time where we can’t be cautious enough—especially with our personal data. Once a thief has your social security number, bank account and credit card numbers, birthdate, and other information, they can easily file for a fraudulent tax refund or ruin your credit.

Esquire Group uses the most secure methods to prepare and file your returns. We have a client portal that allows us to safely send and receive documents or information. We encourage e-filing of returns to minimize potential for document loss/theft, and when that isn’t possible we arrange for safe delivery of your documents directly from our hands to yours.